Sony has designed another PlayStation Portable (PSP) firmware update which, it said, will give gamers greater storage flexibility and introduce icon-based game searches.

The firm’s director of PlayStation Network Operations, Eric Lempel, said firmware version 5.50 will let gamers create and access sub-folders on their Memory Stick Pro Duo cards for music, videos and photos.

Sony has also reduced the storage capacity required to download files from the PlayStation Store onto a Memory Stick, a boon for those without much space to spare.

Lempel added that the firmware will include a game-specific internet search capability, accessible through the XMB menu. This feature – already available on the PS3 – will let gamers get information about a game, such as reviews.

The electronics giant’s also teamed up with IT security firm Trend Micro to include a free PSP web security service trial in version 5.50. The trial will enable gamers to block websites containing potentially malicious content and feature URL filtering technology to prevent young ’uns from accessing dodgy websites.

A launch date for the PSP firmware version 5.50 hasn’t been announced yet. ®